Optical card based system for individualized tracking and record keeping

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, a system for identifying an individual and reading biometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card is disclosed. The system includes an optical card drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a data processor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual. The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from the individual. The biometric information is compared with biometric data to assist in authenticating that the individual is associated with the optical card

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation in part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/454,717 filed on Dec. 6, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,775,774 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a system for acquiring and storinginformation and storing this information in a single portable storagedevice. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the systemprovides a display for displaying identification information carried onthe storage device, a biometric identification device, a data processor,and a telecommunications port or communication device.

There are many known devices or systems that allow the identificationand tracking of information relating to an individual. A well knownexample of such systems includes the use of an identification card thatincludes a photograph and a magnetic machine readable stripe. Thesesystems have gained considerable popularity because of their low costand ease of use. The limitations of these systems, however, has leftimportant un-met needs in terms of security, reliability andversatility.

More specifically, cards that include an individual's picture orfacsimile, suffer from the limitation that the picture can be alteredwith relative ease. Additionally, the wide use of these systems, whichrely on somewhat antiquated printing and reproduction techniques, hasmade the complete falsification or creation of false identity cardspossible for individuals with modest technical training. Thus theproblem of identity falsification by way of these systems persists.

Still further, the use of magnetic strips or magnetically encodeableportions in identification systems, relies on cards that are susceptibleto inadvertent erasure of the cards by exposure to a strong magneticfield, as may be found on a cashier's counter, a speaker, or othercommonly used tools or devices. Thus the reliability or effectiveness ofthese systems is susceptible to destruction or alteration with commontools or devices.

Still further, magnetically encoded identification cards suffer from thelimitation that they can only hold a limited amount of information.Thus, magnetically encoded cards may include identification codes whichmay be used as a key for comparison with an access code that is manuallyentered or provided by the user. Thus, these devices can offer onlylimited identification verification since the amount of information thatcan be stored as a key is also very limited. This limitation oftenallows thieves to simply spy on the user as he or she enters the key orverification information to gain access to all of the information neededto duplicate the access card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, the viewalso illustrating the use with the addition of a barcode scanner;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the architecture of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of a barcode form to input informationinto the system;

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of physician's notes for input intothe system; and

FIG. 4 is an example of a printout of information or instructionsprovided by the system.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the invention. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferredexemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodimentof the invention. It being understood that various changes may be madein the function and arrangement of elements without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system foridentifying an individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from an optical card. The system includes an opticalcard drive and a biometric scanner that are both coupled to a dataprocessor. The optical card includes biometric data of the individual.The biometric scanner reads the biometric information from theindividual. The biometric information is compared with biometric data toassist in authenticating that the individual is associated with theoptical card.

According to an embodiment of the invention the biometric information ordata gathering device includes a fingerprint reading device whichcollects the image of at least one fingerprint from a hand of the personpresenting the optical card. In one embodiment, the optical cardcontains encrypted information about the fingerprint of the owner orduly authorized user of the card. The fingerprint image information isthen used to compare the image with the stored image. The stored imagebeing the image of the authorized user as recorded in the memory of thesystem. The comparison is carried out by the processor, which executesprograms for the operation of the system. A similar comparison processwould be carried out in the event that another biometric factor, such asthe coloration or pattern on the individual's iris, for example.

Thus, embodiments of the disclosed system will use encrypted computercode or writing to store information on the optical card. Theinformation could pertain to biometric data or could include an image ofthe individual and/or could include information on the fact that thecard had been used to access the system.

Because of the system's data processing and communications capabilities,it is contemplated that the system can be advantageously used forcarrying out important identity verification and information storage andtransfer processes. One such process or method is a method for employeeor personnel tracking. Of particular importance is a system and methodfor implementing substance abuse or drug use programs at a facility.With this system and method it is contemplated that the optical card ofthe disclosed system would be used to store, in an encrypted manner,information pertaining to the identity of the cardholder 4 as well ascertain risk characteristics about the individual 4 and the area that isto be accessed.

The risk characteristics will be factors about the individual which willallow the system to determine a proper statistically derived frequencyor model of random testing. For example, if the individual is of a highrisk characteristic, either because of the job to be performed by thatindividual or because of the individual's personal history, then thesystem would select the proper statistical model to produce an adequaterandom determination for whether this individual should report to a drugtesting facility for testing or continue through to work area.

Thus, to properly secure areas and administer the appropriate drugtesting program, the optical card could also store information on thecardholder's training, health, emergency assistance precautions orspecial needs in case of emergency.

Still further, it is contemplated that the disclosed system be used inconjunction with other data input devices, such as a bar code scanner.It is further contemplated that when used with a scanner type inputdevice, the system may be used for the input and tracking of medicalrecords of the individual cardholder 4 or owner. In this embodiment, theoptical card would be used to carry a combination of scanned imageinformation, typed or manually entered information, and information bycode scanning.

In this embodiment, the information obtained by code scanning isstandard or commonly used terms or codes such as CPT codes, treatments,and observations used during the examination of patients. The scannedimage storage capabilities of the optical card can be used to store theexamining physician's notes, which is entered onto the card by way ofthe code scanner in one embodiment. For example, when a cardholder 4arrives at a physician's office, the physician would use the disclosedsystem to access the medical records as encoded on the optical card.These records would be accessed from the optical card and displayed bythe system on a screen or printed out by exporting the information fromthe disclosed system to a printer. Once the physician examines thepatient, the physician writes down his or her observations andprescriptions in a customary, well known manner.

The physician's notes are then read by an assistant or data entryoperator. The data entry operator transcribes these notes by usingstandardized comments or inputs as presented as a part of a series ofbar codes, each bar code representing a commonly used term orobservation in that area of medicine. Additionally, the actual notes orcomments hand written by the physician are then scanned and the imagerecorded on the optical card along with the transcribed notes. Thiscombination of transcribed notes and images will ensure accurateretrieval of the records, and provide the physician with a way toauthenticate and certify that the records were his or her notes.

The use of the optical card and system disclosed herein allows the ownerof the card, or card carrier, to carry a single card with a large amountof information pertaining to that individual's identity and medicalhistory so as to allow anyone with the disclosed system to access theinformation and decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosed system are aparticularly versatile tool in that they can be used for a variety oftasks that identify an individual. Also, embodiments of the system canhelp satisfy the need to carry out data processing operations whichpertain specifically to the individual identified by the card.

Still further, it will be appreciated that embodiments the disclosedinvention provide a versatile system and method for implementingemployee monitoring programs and programs designed for testing employeesfor substance abuse.

Turning now to FIG. 1 where a self-contained system 10, made inaccordance with the principles taught herein, is illustrated. The system10 is useful for identifying and storing information pertaining to anindividual 4. According to one embodiment of the invention, the system10 uses an optical card 12 for storing the information pertaining to theindividual 4. It is contemplated that this information pertaining to theindividual 4 may include information about the individual's health; orphysical characteristics; audit trail information that logs the factthat the system 10 and the optical card 12 were used together; and/orother data which is useful in carrying out calculations, such asstatistical calculations pertaining to the individual 4, within thesystem 10. In some embodiments, the optical card is rectangular inshape, like a credit card, but in others it is disk-shaped and may ormay not be housed in a protective cover.

In this embodiment, the optical card 12 includes well known write once,read many (WORM) type of the category or class of media discussed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,579,772. State of the art optical cards are capable ofstoring up to four megabytes of digital information. This translatesinto approximately 1500 type-written pages. Thus, it is contemplatedthat state of the art optical cards are particularly well suited for usewith the disclosed system 10. However, it is important to note that theprinciples taught herein are applicable to other highly transportableWORM-type devices.

The system 10 will serve as a portable, self-contained unit, that doesnot depend on a connection or data link to a larger data holding-andprocessing unit. Thus, the user can simply place one of the systems 10at a desired location in an office building, manufacturing plant,laboratory, and so on, and carry out all of the necessary identityverification and program implementation without having to establishcommunications with a central data processing center. The system 10 usesthe data storage capabilities of the optical card 12 to storeinformation such as photographs in a digital format, program parameterssuch as number of times that the optical card has been presented to thesystem 10, information about the cardholder 4 who is being tracked oridentified by the system 10, this information may include medicalhistory, substance abuse history, job access requirements and/orauthority to enter secured areas.

Thus, as shown on FIG. 2, it is contemplated that the system 10 willinclude data processor and store 14, which in one embodiment willinclude a data processor 16 (e.g., an INTEL™ x86 series type ofprocessor), non-volatile memory 20 (e.g., hard disc drive, flash memory,battery-backed RAM, magnetic RAM, etc.) and volatile memory 18 (e.g.,SRAM, RAM, etc.). The non-volatile memory 20 stores a basic input andoutput system processing and access disk software (e.g., MICROSOFT™Windows or LNUX™).

Also shown on FIG. 2 is an optical card drive 22, which serves forreading data from the optical card 12 and writing data on to the opticalcard 12. In an embodiment of the invention, this optical card drive 22is an optical card read/write apparatus manufactured and sold by theDREXLER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION™ of Mountain View, Calif. The opticalcard drive 22 is in communication with the data processor 16. The term“communication” as used herein means that data can be transferred fromone device to the other. This data transfer may be carried out throughradio waves, optical signals, electrical pulses, or other ways forallowing data transfer between two devices.

Information that has been stored on the optical card 12, by way of astrong encryption method, is retrieved into the data processor 16. Thisinformation includes a digitized photograph 28 of the cardholder 4;biometric identification information; information about the cardholder'shistory, such as substance abuse and testing, training andqualifications; important medical limitations and emergency treatmentinformation; and executable program information. The executable programinformation is a program that is downloaded from the card onto the dataprocessor and store 14 where it is executed. In one embodiment of theinvention, this executable program is a drug testing program which suitsthe needs of a particular entity which is using the system 10. The drugtesting program is executed by the data processor 16, which also usedinformation retrieval from the optical card 12 as the data on which tocarry out its operations.

An embodiment of the invention is shown on FIG. 2 that includes abiometric scanner 24 for obtaining biometric data from an individual 4.According to an example of the invention, the biometric scanner 24 forobtaining biometric data from an individual 4 includes a fingerprintreading device such as the fingerprint scanner sold under the productname BIOMOUSE PLUS™ by the AMERICAN BIOMETRICS COMPANY™ of Ottawa,Canada, but other fingerprint or biometric scanners could be use. It isimportant to note that while this example of the invention uses afingerprint scanner, it is also contemplated that other biometricscanning or reading devices may be employed with the system, such asiris pattern scanning, hand geometry, voice recognition, facerecognition, or even DNA recognition devices.

The information generated by the biometric scanner 24 is thentransferred to the data processor and store 14 where it is compared witha verified pattern stored on the optical card 12 to positively identifythat the true cardholder 4 is present before the system 10. Thebiometric information on the optical card 12 is verified at the time itis written to the card such that later comparisons have a verifiedbaseline measurement. Authorized agents, such as police departments andmotor vehicle offices, could be used assure accurate biometricinformation is written to the card 12.

Once the verification of identity has been completed, the system 10 usesthe executable program from the optical card 12 to implement the drugtesting, record keeping, banking, or other programs, such as governmentassistance programs where funds are to be used by recipients for thepurchase of specific items. The system 10 will then proceed to carry outthe operations of the programmed task as controlled by the data and codeencrypted on the optical card 12. The system 10 then communicates withthe cardholder 4 by way of a video output for an external display or anintegral display 36, which shows the cardholder's picture 28 andinstructions about the access or transaction procedures. Additionally,it is contemplated that the system 10 will include a printer 30 in someembodiments that is used to provide the cardholder 4 with a printedrecord of instructions or details about the interaction between thecardholder and the system 10. The printer 30 in this embodiment isintegral with the housing 32, but could be externally located in otherembodiments.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system 10 is self-contained inthat the display 36, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or otherdisplay screen; the data processor and store 14; and the optical carddrive 22 are all held by the same housing 32. It is contemplated thatthe biometric scanner 24 for obtaining biometric data is connected tothe housing 32 by way of a cable or other wired or wirelesscommunication mechanism. However, it is contemplated that in furtheranceof providing the benefits of a stand-alone system, the biometric scanner24 for obtaining biometric data may be attached or fixed to the housing.In some embodiments, certain components could be detached for variousapplications, for example, the display screen 36 may be removable andreplaced by a larger display 36 coupled to the housing 32 with a cableor wireless connection.

The display 36 can be used to display instructions to the cardholder 4or someone else using the system 10. For example, the display couldpresent an image of the cardholder 4. An attendant could compare thatimage with the cardholder's appearance to authenticate that the opticalcard 12 belongs to the cardholder 4. The comparison of the image to thecardholder appearance could be automatic in other embodiments. Thebiometric scanner 24 could be a camera. An acquired image could becompared with the retrieved image by the data processor and store 14using face recognition technology. Similar automated authentication ispossible with fingerprint, iris, voice, hand geometry comparisons.

The software that performs the biometric comparison could be stored onthe optical card 12 and/or the non-volatile memory 20. The system couldinclude an initial version of the biometric comparison software. If anoptical card 12 were presented with updated biometric comparisonsoftware, it could replace the version stored on the non-volatile memory20. In this manner, field-upgrades of the software is performed.

This embodiment of the disclosed system 10 offers important new anduseful results in that it allows an entity to operate many systems 10 atvarious locations, without having to have the systems 10 networkedtogether. The encryption and record keeping of transactions is allcarried out by the each system 10 and recorded in an encrypted fashionon the optical card 12. Thus in going from location to location, thecardholder 4 will be received and handled as if the system 10 were partof a larger network connected computers, without a persistent networkconnection.

It is also contemplated that the system 10 may optionally include akeypad or other data input device, such as a voice activated inputdevice, to allow a user to enter instructions, passwords or the likeinto the system 10. It is also contemplated that the system 10 mayinclude a relay or other output signal that can control an accesscontrol lock 34 for opening, closing and/or locking a doorway, gate,safe, or other controlled space or piece of equipment. Additionally, itis also important to note that it is contemplated that the system 10could be connected to a telecommunications system, network or other datatransfer system for transferring data to a central system or to anotherdevice. Adding a connection to a central system could provide theprovision of a data backup system option to the disclosed invention orcould allow software or firmware updates. Some embodiments use theoptical cards to provide information to the various self-containedsystems for data backup and system updates, for example, the opticalcard could include software that could update the firmware or softwarein the system 10 if it were determined out of date.

As an example of the system 10 in use in air transport industry, thesystem 10 is used to control access to an aircraft maintenance workarea. In this example, access to the secured work area is locked by amagnetic door lock 34 that is controlled by the system 10. A cardholding mechanic, who is about to enter the work area, approaches thesystem 10 and inserts the optical card 12 into the system 10 and placesat least one finger on the biometric scanner 24 to read the fingerprint.When the optical card 12 is inserted into the optical card drive 22, anexecutable program is downloaded and executed by the data processor andstore 14 to allow the system 10 to compare biometric data obtained fromthe mechanic against an authenticated scan(s) on the optical card 12.The picture 28 of the individual 4 is also read from the optical card 12and presented on the display 36. The image 28 on the screen 36 can beviewed by a security guard at the gate to further authenticate themechanic's identity. If the comparison of the biometric informationresults in a positive identification, then the system 10 could initiateother software routines that can originate from the optical card 12itself or may have been previously loaded on the data processor andstore 14.

In one example, a drug testing program could be initiated as part of arandom or periodic screening regiment or one controlled by an algorithmrun with a program on the optical card 12. This program would weigh thesensitivity of the individual's duties, any drug test history and anymedical history and run a random number or selection generation programto indicate whether this individual 4 should be tested for controlledsubstances. Of course, other parameters than those enumerated above maybe used in the algorithm. If the individual 4 is selected for drugtesting, the system 10 would communicate to the individual 4 by way ofthe display 36 and or by printing out a summary with the printer 30. Anexample printout 55 is shown on FIG. 4. This printout 55 could includethe time and place where the individual 4 is to report for drug testingand other instructions pertinent to the current situation. Auditinformation about the requirement that the test be carried out wouldimmediately, for example, is written in encrypted form on the opticalcard 12 by the optical card drive 22. Any further use of the opticalcard 12 could revisit compliance by determining if the drug testrequirement was satisfied by checking the records held by the opticalcard 12.

Referring once again to FIG. 2, as discussed above, it is contemplatedthat the system 10 may also include communication link 38 that may beused to instantaneously warn or inform a supervisor or other responsibleindividual of the test requirement, and thus the responsible individualmay immediately escort the employee to the drug test facility. Thisescort would minimize the possibility of any attempt to alter the drugtest by ingesting large amounts of water or other dilutants, forexample. Additionally, it would minimize the opportunity of obtaining aphony sample from a known drug-free individual or otherwise foil thetest. The communication link could be ethernet, serial, parallel, USB,firewire, wireless, infra red, etc.

Still another embodiment of the system 10 optionally includes the use ofa barcode or RFID scanner 40 for entering information into the system10. The scanner 40 would be in communication with the data processor andstore 14 to allow the information entered into the system by way of thescanner 40.

Although not delineated in FIG. 2, there is other hardware 35 in thesystem 10. For example, a power supply is included that may be partiallyinside and/or partially outside the enclosure 32. There could be aninterface to an integral or external to a removable or non-removablestorage drive. Some embodiments could include a modem, ethernet or othernetworking port. Some embodiments could have status lights and/or LEDs,display panels, control panels, speaker, microphone, etc. For futureexpansion, some embodiments could have an expansion bus where circuitcard could mate to allow future upgradability.

Referring now to FIGS. 1–3B, and particularly FIGS. 3A and 3B, it willbe understood that the addition of the barcode scanner 40 would allowthe user to further harness the versatility of the disclosed system 10.In this embodiment, the system 10 is used for storage and retrieval ofmedical records. In use, a cardholder 4 would arrive at a physician'soffice with his or her medical records stored as encrypted data on theoptical card 12. The physician would then access the medical records byinserting the optical card 12 into the optical card drive 22 and havethe patient place a finger on the biometric scanner 24 for obtainingbiometric data from the patient. The system 10 would compare themeasured and stored biometric information. The physician observes thedisplay 36 to determine whether the patient presenting the card appearsthe same as the image 28 depicted on the display 36. An additionalbenefit to including the image information on the optical card is thatthe physician may look at the image 28 on the display 36 and comparethat image with the patient's current appearance. Any changes in theappearance of the patient may aid the physician in the diagnosis of thepatient.

Once the physician has retrieved the records stored on the optical card12, and examined the patient, the physician may then write down or enterrecommendations and other observations. An example of the physician'snotes 42 is shown in FIG. 3B. Of course, the physician may even takephotographs, other types of diagnostic imaging and/or medical tests ofthe patient for storage in a digital format in the optical card 12. Thismedical information may be used at a later time for further evaluationof the patient's progress.

The physician's notes 42 may also be stored in the optical card 12.These notes can be stored in two forms, more specifically, as digitizedscans or as digital text characters. The digitized scan would be ascanned facsimile that could be later retrieved from the optical card 12for display 36 and/or printout 30. With images, such as the photographsor scanned notes, they serve a purpose in that they may be retrieved ata later date and aid the physician in refreshing memory about thepatient's visit or could be used by another medical professional.

Since the diagnosis and observations about the patient's condition arelikely to include many typical or commonly found observations. Thesecomments or observations can be entered into the system 10 for inclusionon the optical card 12, reporting to a remote data storage point and/orprintout with the printer 30. An example barcode printout 44 withvarious barcodes 45 on two sheets is shown in FIG. 3A. The physician'snotes are, at least in part, found as terms or codes associated with thevarious barcodes 45 on the barcode printout 44 shown in FIG. 3A. Thevarious barcodes 45 could be in any machine readable format, forexample, a one-dimensional, a two-dimensional bar code or other machinereadable code.

As mentioned above, FIG. 3A shows barcode form sheets 44 having variousbarcodes 45 corresponding to a selection of notes that a physician mightmake during an office visit. The barcode form sheets 44 could beproduced by a program on the optical card 12 and produced on the printer30. The barcodes 45 printed could only be those relevant to a particularstage of treatment for the patient. During the patient's visit, thephysician's notes are indicated by a circle or other mark to indicatewhich bar codes 45 are appropriate for the patient. Textual notes couldbe included on the forms 44 that explain or remind the physician of themeaning of the various barcodes 45.

The indicated barcodes 45 can be easily entered into the system 10. Inone embodiment, a physician's assistant uses the barcode scanner 40 totranscribe the physicians's notes into computer readable text that isalso stored as encrypted data on the optical card 12. A circle in thisexample is used to show the assistant the relevant barcodes 45 to scanon the barcode form 44. The corresponding codes or notes are encryptedinto the patient's optical card 12 after entry. The relevant barcodes 45or scanned notes 42 can be printed at a later time and/or subsequentvisit.

The codes and text written to the optical card 12 may include aprescription or other therapy for the patient. The patient may then gotto a pharmacy which provides the needed prescriptions and that alsoposses a system 10. The optical card 12 and the system 10 are then usedto verify the identity of the patient and to retrieve the prescriptionsto be filled. The records of the transactions may then also be encriptedonto the card. It is important to note that the encryption and dataretrieval system and the programmability of the data processor and store14 used to with the system 10 may be used to allow selective access tothe records stored in the optical card 12. Thus the pharmacy would onlybe able to retrieve identification information, the prescriptions and/orother specified information while other information is not available tothe pharmacy.

In still another variation of the use of the disclosed system 10, amethod for tracking and controlling the inventory of work place tools,equipment, classified documents, or controlled items is disclosed. Withthis method, a tool crib or materials distribution center would maintainan inventory of tools or materials to be distributed to employees. Thesetools or materials would be inventoried by way of a barcode attached tothe tool or material to be assigned to an employee.

When the employee desires to obtain a tool or material, he or she willvisit the tool crib or distribution center with the optical card 12. Thetool crib or distribution center has a system 10, which would be used,as described above, to identify the individual cardholder 4. The system10 would then access information stored in the card 12. In oneembodiment, this information would include information about tools ormaterials that have been checked out by the cardholder 4, employee. Forexample, if the employee is a nurse that is authorized to administercertain kinds of medication, this authority would be encripted on to theoptical card 12. The system 10 would then use the information from theoptical card 12 to provide authorization to check out the equipment,material or medications requested by the nurse. Once authorized, thecardholder 4 would receive the materials from the tool or materialsdispensing area.

To inventory the release of these tools or materials, the person issuingthe tools or materials would use the barcode or RFID scanner 40 torecord the fact that these materials were issued to the cardholder 4. Ofcourse, it is contemplated that a double entry type system may be used,where a computer connected to the system 10 would deduct the materialsform an inventory stored in its memory in addition to recording thetransaction on the optical card 12. The disclosed system 10 would beused to record the event on the cardholder's optical card 12 to createan audit trail. Additionally, the system 10 would also be used to recordthe return of tools or materials on the optical card 12.

By recording the fact that tools or other supplies have been assigned tothe cardholder 4, the system 10 can be used to control inventories ofthe tools by combining the use of the information recorded on theoptical card 12 to control the ingress and egress to the work area. Thusthe cardholder 4 would check out a tool from a tool crib within thesecured area, the fact that the tool was checked out to the cardholder 4would be recorded on the cardholder's optical card 12. The cardholder 4would then use the tool to carry out his or her duties throughout thework day. At the end of the work day the cardholder 4 would insert theoptical card 12 into the system 10 that controls access to the workarea. By inserting the card into the system 10, the system 10 would readfrom the card the fact that a tool was checked out by that cardholder 4.If the tool has not been returned to the tool crib, the system 10controlling access to the work area would not allow the person to leaveuntil the tool was returned to the tool crib and the system 10 locatedat the tool crib used to record the return on the card 12.

Of course, it is contemplated that systems for allowing the override ofthe access control in case of fire or other emergencies may beincorporated into the system without departing from the scope of thedisclosed invention. Further, some embodiments could includeself-contained systems 10 that could communicate with other equipment ora central location in real-time or periodically. There could be somesystems 10 with network access, some with periodic network access andstill others with no network access in a given deployment.

While the principles of the invention have been described above inconnection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example and notas limitation on the scope of the invention.

1. A system for identifying an individual and reading biometricinformation pertaining to the individual from an optical card, thesystem comprising: an optical card drive adapted for reading from andwriting to the optical card, wherein the optical card includes biometricdata of the individual; a biometric scanner that reads the biometricinformation from the individual; a data processor coupled to the opticalcard drive and the biometric scanner, wherein the biometric informationis compared with biometric data to assist in authenticating that theindividual is associated with the optical card; and an access controlmechanism, whereby the access control mechanism is manipulated onverification of an identity of the individual.
 2. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a display for displaying an image retrieved from the opticalcard, whereby the image of the individual can be compared to theindividual.
 3. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 1, wherein the data processor is programmed forencrypting and deciphering encrypted data obtained from the optical carddrive.
 4. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 1, wherein the optical card drive, the biometricscanner, and the data processor are held in a single housing.
 5. Thesystem for identifying the individual and reading biometric informationpertaining to the individual from the optical card as recited in claim1, further comprising a barcode scanner coupled to the data processor.6. The system for identifying the individual and reading biometricinformation pertaining to the individual from the optical card asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a communication link for sendingand receiving data of the system.
 7. A system for identifying anindividual and reading biometric information pertaining to theindividual from an optical card, the system comprising: an optical carddrive adapted for reading an image of the individual from the opticalcard; a display for displaying the image retrieved from the opticalcard; a data processor coupled to the optical card drive and thedisplay, wherein the image of the individual is displayed while theindividual's appearance is automatically compared to the image to assistin authenticating that the individual is associated with the opticalcard; and an access control mechanism, whereby the access controlmechanism is manipulated on verification of and identity of theindividual.
 8. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 7, further comprising a biometric scanner that readsthe biometric information from the individual, wherein: the optical cardincludes biometric data of the individual, and the biometric informationis compared with biometric data to assist in authenticating that theindividual is associated with the optical card.
 9. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 7, whereinthe optical card drive, the display, and the data processor are held ina single housing.
 10. A system for identifying an individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from an optical card,the system comprising: a biometric scanner for obtaining biometric datafrom the individual; a housing comprising: an optical card drive adaptedfor reading from and writing to the optical card, and a data processorcoupled with the optical card drive and the biometric scanner, whereinthe data processor assists in comparing data from said optical card andthe biometric data and delivers data to the optical card drive forwriting on the optical card and wherein audit information is written tothe optical card during interaction with the system; and a video outputfor displaying an image corresponding the individual, wherein the imageis read from the optical card.
 11. The system for identifying theindividual and reading biometric information pertaining to theindividual from the optical card as recited in claim 10, wherein theoptical card stores a prescription or other medical therapy.
 12. Thesystem for identifying the individual and reading biometric informationpertaining to the individual from the optical card as recited in claim10, wherein data processor is programmed for assigning testing of theindividual with a reading of the optical card.
 13. The system foridentifying the individual and reading biometric information pertainingto the individual from the optical card as recited in claim 10, whereinthe optical card includes software for interpreting information storedon the optical card.
 14. The system for identifying the individual andreading biometric information pertaining to the individual from theoptical card as recited in claim 10, wherein the housing furthercomprises a printer that is coupled to the data processor.
 15. Thesystem for identifying the individual and reading biometric informationpertaining to the individual from the optical card as recited in claim10, wherein the biometric scanner comprises at least one of afingerprint reader, an iris reader, hand geometry reader, voicerecognition device, face recognition device, and a DNA recognitiondevice.
 16. The system for identifying the individual and readingbiometric information pertaining to the individual from the optical cardas recited in claim 10, wherein the optical card is disk-shaped.
 17. Amethod for tracking an individual and information about the individual,the method comprising: assigning an optical card to the individual;reading first biometric information from the optical card; gatheringsecond biometric information from the individual; comparing firstbiometric information and the second biometric information, wherein thereading, gathering and comparing steps are automatically performed witha system that includes a optical card drive, a biometric scanner and adata processor; authenticating an identity of the individual based upon,at least, the comparing step; assigning a test of the individual basedon the identification; and writing information to the optical cardindicating the test was assigned.
 18. The method for tracking theindividual and information about the individual as recited in claim 17,further comprising steps of: providing a display for displaying datafrom the data processor; reading an image from the optical card;displaying the image on the display, whereby an attendant can comparethe image with the individual to authenticate that the optical card isassociated with the individual.
 19. The method for tracking theindividual and information about the individual as recited in claim 17,further comprising a step of writing information to the optical cardwith the optical card drive that relates to the authenticating step,whereby the information provides part of an audit trail for laterinspection.
 20. The method for tracking the individual and informationabout the individual as recited in claim 17, further comprising a stepof encrypting information that is written on the optical card.
 21. Themethod for tracking the individual and information about the individualas recited in claim 17, further comprising a step of writing a digitizedimage of a document to the optical card.